Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-08
ST. AUGUSTINE NOTES.
The Old City and the New Con-
trasted

sT.AUGUsTISE, FLA, March What
beautiful winter we are having. 1t Is in
delightful contrast to the cold, rainy sea-
son OF 1856. Our hearts are glad because
the tourists are here, and here in crowds.
Our quaint narrow streets are alive with
strangers. Our thOrOugbfares. courts
and plaza are every day filled with sight.
seers.
The plaza Is the favorite resort. There,
basking 10 the sun, surrounded with
luxurious tropical plants and foliage,
low pleasing it is for a lover OF the pic
turesque and beautiful. Directly north
O. this garden spot one discerns, through
the branches or the trees towering high,
the stately belfry OF the old Spanish
cathedral. In the eastern end OF the
plaza is situated what Is enormously
supposed TO have been the slave market.
Tits strange structure is one OF the many
curious relics built by the SpanIards 200
years ago, and it Is pre-eminent for its
stability and simplicity. Beyond the
portals Of this ancient meat market
the beautiful Rio de MatanZas pre-.
cents Itself 20 the gaze. Boats OF all
sizes and description, filled with gay
pleasure-ssekers, make the haTbor present
& pleasing appearance. Some are seen
sailing around the points OF the North
snore on their way to the time-beaten
ruins Of the Spanish lighthouse, the first
erected On the Atlantic coast: others are
seen gliding in different directions to the
various hsning grounds, while still others
are vending their way through Ell Cano
de la Tore to the new lighthouse, one of
the nnest south OF Hatteras.
S'rolling in a northerly direction on
the sea wall one soon comes in tull view
Of Fort san Marco. Approaching still
nearer, one can discern on its rsmparts
the tents used by the Apache and Warm
Spring tribes. On The hills surrounding
can be seen the Indians out for recrea-
| lion and fresh air. Some are playing
games understood by them only, some are
| gambling with cards, while the yOungs-
/ tiers, with bows and arrows, are running
| about seemingly as happy and cOntsnted
as If they were on the prairies of the far
West. What a lazy life the most of the
older bucks and squaws lead! They lie
| languidly In the sun the whole day, often
! unmindful OF the presence of friend or
stranger, and are only aroused from their
stupor By the pealing OF the sunset gun
ordering them back 10 the confines OF the
fort.
About Q o'clock every morning can be
seen leaving the fort procession of In
dian boys under the age OF 10 years, each
with hair cut short, dressed in new suit
OF Clothes, and carrying a state. at the
head of them are two Sisters OF St. Jo-
seph, V lille in the rear of them are Indian
adults and United States officers, all
marching in the direction OF the school
house.
TO one who has not visited st. Angus
tine for several years, what change has
taken PLACED A decade or SO ago it was
not difficult to imagine that this town OF
ancient origin had been transferred from
some orient cline TO grace the shores Of
! fair Florida. Passing through the open
| gate ana walking along the narrow streets
, lined with low antique stone houses with
their overhsngiDg piazzas, feeling OF
! profound respect for its antiquity cap
| lures the heart.
Tie charm which captivated US ten
| years ago, however, is still apparent.
| Besides its relics OF the past-the fort,
| city gates, cathedral, Spanish cemetery,
| etc.-St. Augustine has attractions in the
/ shape OF structures which are in striking
| contrast 70 her humble ruins, which are
/ so noted for their simplicity and grace.
| The unsiRhtiy marsh on the west bOr-
| der of the town has been filed in, and on
| that site have been built some of the most
/ magnificent houses OF modern times.
| How truly appropriate TO the ancient
| city are the styles OF these editices VIII
! la ZOriada, q perfect model OF Moorish
| architecture, found in South Spain, is one
! of them. HotG. de Ponce de Leon, erect
| ed by Ii. NJ. Flagler, OF New York, is GER
tainly an object OF wonder to even the
European traveller. IL has been in course
| of erection fourteen months, aud the cost
OF 1t has already entered the millions. 1t
is expected to be completed by January,
1858. The styles OF architecture display
ed In this building are taken from va
rious noted castles and palaces Of Spain.
II will, perhaps, be the most elegant hotel
In the United States. Directly opposite
the Ponce de Leon the same gentleman is
10 erect building exactly like the ILL
fated Alcaza OF Spain. To the credit OF
st. Augustine, within her limits, will be
perpetuated the memory OF that famous
palace that the Spanish government has
lately refused TO rebuild.